How I found my Passion
As we grow up, we all become interested in something. We think we want to be a Princess, or a Doctor, or a Teacher, or a Mommy, or a Career Woman, or, or, or… What we all are searching for is our Passion.
When I was young, I said I wanted to be a Teacher, but soon after it changed to Child Psychologist. (I know, that's a weird one.) I honestly am not even sure where I came up with those terms because I never saw a Psychologist or knew what a Psychologist did, but that's what I said to myself when I thought about my career.
I knew I wanted to be a Mommy, but never really knew if I would be good at it.
As a teenager, my first job was at a jeans factory (working with my mom) and then as a clerk in a Movie Rental store. I was good at both places (yes, I worked two jobs at 16 years old during the summer :)). I was also very self-doubtful at every turn in my life. When I received compliments from a manager at the Movie Rental place (and feared that I would never be good at anything else), I decided that "yes!" my career will be as a manager of Movie Rental place!! Boy, am I glad I snapped out of that one!!
My dad forced me to follow through with going off to college, but I still feared that I would not find anything I could do well. So, I thought back to the Child Psychologist idea and started taking Psychology classes.
Due to some disturbing family drama and more self-doubt (maybe more on that later) it took me a long time to finish college.
During college, I began working at Toys R Us and again, was really good at it, making me think that "yes!!" my career will be as a manager of Toys R Us!! I took a mandatory break from college in 1999 and became frustrated with retail management, so I decided to try out the teaching idea.
I began substitute teaching (in all grades except high school) and quickly knew that I was not cut out for Kindergarten or 8th grade. I liked all of the other grades in between, but now I needed to get into a certification program…and finish that Bachelor's degree!! Substitute teaching was not paying the bills so I began looking for another job.
My aunt suggested medical records and I always thought I would enjoy her job so I found a Psychiatry Clinic that needed someone to clean up their records. I quickly became good at that and again "yes" my career would be in medical records!!…but I still needed to finish that Bachelor's degree!!
In 2003, I was able to start back into college and since I was one semester shy of a Bachelor's in Psychology, I just finished it up. Something happened during that semester that would change my life FOREVER!!
I found my TRUE PASSION!!!…in a round about way…
I was still working in the Psychiatry Clinic and there were two therapists in the office who I began working with very closely. They knew I was studying Psychology and began encouraging me to go to Graduate School for a Masters in Social Work…ah, that Child Psychologist idea again…hmm!!
I applied for Graduate School as soon as I graduated, but was denied :(. I did some research and learned that Volunteer Activities can boost your application so I applied to Volunteer at a Child Advocacy Center and at Child Protective Services. I began volunteering with CPS and soon after I applied for a job. Surprisingly, I did not know much about CPS and I was volunteering with a group of Investigators.
When I applied for a position in Conservatorship, I had no idea what I was doing. When the Supervisor who interviewed me (at Starbucks :)) began explaining the Program, I was thrilled. I would be working with families who have had their children removed and placed in Foster Care in order to make their homes safe and reunite the families!!
I was GREAT at this!!
Not like Movie Rental good or Toys R Us good or even Medical Records good…I mean I was GREAT!!
So my journey began to build my Passion for Child Protection and Child Abuse Prevention.
I have been with Child Protective Services since 2004 now and thanks to Maryann Fisher, Ph.D. (the Starbucks Supervisor :)) I have found MY TRUE PASSION!! My current position with CPS is Child Safety Specialist and I am living my passion!!
I have the opportunity to train Investigators on Safety Issues, I have helped develop curriculum for State-Wide training, and I LOVE my CAREER!!!!
My Life Now: I'm a Mom of a 3 year old boy (working on #2), Wife to a Great Man, and Working in my Passion everyday.
I'm building a growing Blog and I want to see if I can reach out to others to talk about Child Safety, Family Strengths, and relate to Working Moms that it's not easy, but YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!
I share the fears of Julia from Work, Wife, Mom… Life when she writes that people will be able to find the information other places, but what if… What if I reach ONE other person who learns from a Safety Tip I give… then I've fulfilled what I truly believe is God's Plan for my Life!!
**I have completely gone off topic for the Working Mommy Wednesday, but Julia's post totally inspired me and I had to get these words out really fast!! Thank you, Julia, I'll get back on topic next week!!
Linking up to:
Working Mommy Wednesday
Wow, we have a lot in common. I worked at Toys R Us in college myself (dreadful job, really). I majored in psych and my first job was doing investigations for CPS in Houston. I got a masters and did juvenile probation for a while. Now I teach intro to psych classes off and on. I like helping others
Awesome!! Nice to “meet” you!!!
wow. what a great story… thanks for sharing your heart… and for encouraging me (directly and indirectly) along the way.
Love posts like this that come from the heart.
Thank you so much!! You have been my God-sent Angel this week!!
God-sent angel??? wow, #SweetestCommentEver xoxo
julia recently posted..Love & Free Stuff
**Hugs!!**
Still trying to find out what I am actually good at. You inspire me though!
You will find it…and I think you’re pretty darn good at what you’re doing right now!!
Thanks! I just feel like there is something else, ya know?
Aww…we should talk!!
I think I sent you an e-mail. Just reply whenever you are free! No rush.
Glad to hear you found it! Some people never do, but as long as we keep looking, we’re bound to!
Thank you!! I am truly Blessed!!
What a journey you took to find the right career for you. But, it sounds like you have definitely found it!
Sometimes it’s more about the journey…I wouldn’t give any of it up for something different!!